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Benny Green (pianist)
Encyclopedia
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) is a hard bop
Hard bop
Hard bop is a style of jazz that is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz which incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in the saxophone and piano...
jazz pianist who was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
He has been compared to Bud Powell
Bud Powell
Earl Rudolph "Bud" Powell was an American Jazz pianist. Powell has been described as one of "the two most significant pianists of the style of modern jazz that came to be known as bop", the other being his friend and contemporary Thelonious Monk...
in style and counts him as an influence. As a boy he grew up in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
and studied classical piano from the age of seven. He also had an interest in jazz from an early point as his father was a jazz tenor saxophone
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
player. Benny Green was "discovered" by Faye Carroll and later while still in his teens worked in a quintet led by Eddie Henderson. After high school he spent time in San Francisco, but professional success came on his return to New York. He joined Betty Carter
Betty Carter
Betty Carter was an American jazz singer renowned for her improvisational technique and idiosyncratic vocal style...
's band in April, 1983 and since 1991 he has led his own trio. He has worked most with Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
, Telarc International Corporation
Telarc International Corporation
Telarc International Corporation is an independent record label, based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, and founded in 1977 by two classically trained musicians and former teachers, Jack Renner and Robert Woods...
, and started with the Dutch label Criss Cross Jazz
Criss Cross Jazz
Criss Cross Jazz is a Dutch jazz record label, specializing in American jazz.Criss Cross was founded in 1980 by Gerry Teekens, a drummer and German professor. The label, which releases about 20 albums per year, is noted for its simple, block-color cover art...
.
He frequently teaches in workshops across the United States, such as Jazz Camp West in California, and Centrum/Jazz Port Townsend in Washington. His students are commonly struck by his youthful enthusiasm for life and generosity of spirit, encouraging his students and treating them as peers, regardless of their skill level.
Benny Green currently resides in Berkeley California where he practices piano, composes music and watches films in his spare time.
As leader
- Source (2011) - [Trio: Benny Green, Peter WashingtonPeter WashingtonPeter Washington is a jazz double bassist. He initially played classical bass and played with the Westchester Community Symphony at 14. Later he worked with electric bass and in rock bands. He went on to study English at the University of California, Berkeley...
, and Kenny WashingtonKenny Washington (musician)Kenny Washington is a jazz drummer born in Staten Island, New York.He studied at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts...
] Jazz Legacy Productions - Bluebird Benny Green & Russell MaloneRussell MaloneRussell Malone is an essentially self-taught swing and bebop jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s...
(2004) Telarc - Jazz at the Bistro/Benny Green & Russell MaloneRussell MaloneRussell Malone is an essentially self-taught swing and bebop jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s...
(2003) Telarc - Green's Blues (2001) Telarc
- Naturally [Trio: Benny Green, Russell MaloneRussell MaloneRussell Malone is an essentially self-taught swing and bebop jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s...
, and Christian McBrideChristian McBrideChristian McBride is an American jazz bassist. His father, Lee Smith, and his great uncle, Howard Cooper, are well known Philadelphia bassists who served as McBride's early mentors...
] (2000) Telarc - These Are Soulful Days [Trio: Benny Green, Russell MaloneRussell MaloneRussell Malone is an essentially self-taught swing and bebop jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s...
, and Christian McBrideChristian McBrideChristian McBride is an American jazz bassist. His father, Lee Smith, and his great uncle, Howard Cooper, are well known Philadelphia bassists who served as McBride's early mentors...
(1999) Blue Note - Oscar and BennyOscar and BennyOscar and Benny is a 1998 album by Oscar Peterson and Benny Green. Peterson and Green are accompanied by Ray Brown on double bass, and the drummer Gregory Hutchinson.-Track listing:# "For All We Know" Oscar and Benny is a 1998 (see 1998 in music) album by Oscar Peterson and Benny Green. Peterson...
(1998) Telarc - Kaleidoscope (1997) Blue Note
- Place to Be (1994) Blue Note
- Testifyin'!: Live at the Village Vanguard (1992) Blue Note
- That's Right! (1992) Blue Note
- Greens (1991) Blue Note
- Lineage (1990) Blue Note
- Prelude (1988) Criss Cross
- In This Direction (1988) Criss Cross
As sideman
- Anat CohenAnat CohenAnat Cohen is an Israeli jazz clarinetist, saxophonist and bandleader.Cohen went to the United States in 1996. Her debut album, Place & Time, was released in 2005 on Anzic Records. In 2007 she won the awards for Up and Coming Artist and Clarinetist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association...
, Clarinetwork: Live at the Village Vanguard (2010) - Belinda Underwood Greenspace (2008)
- Randy NapoleonRandy NapoleonRandy Napoleon is a jazz guitarist, composer, and arranger who is a member of The Freddy Cole Quartet and the leader of the Randy Napoleon Trio. He has toured with Benny Green, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra , led by John Clayton, Jeff Clayton and Jeff Hamilton, and with Michael Bublé.-Early...
Between Friends (2006) - Ray Brown Trio Walk On (2003)
- Clark Terry One on One (2000)
- Gary Bartz Shadows (1991)
- Bob Belden Ensemble Straight to My Heart: The Music of (1989)
- Bob Belden When the Doves Cry
- The Music of Prince (1993)
- Art Blakey Hard Champion: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (1985)
- Art Blakey I Get a Kick out of Bu (1988)
- Art Blakey Not Yet (1988)
- Art Blakey Feel the Wind (1989)
- Block 16 Morning Sun Remixed (2002)
- Don Braden Quintet Time Is Now (1991)
- Don Braden Wish List (1991)
- Cecil Brooks III Hangin' With Smooth (1990)
- Cecil Brooks III Our Mister Brooks (2000)
- Ray BrownRay Brown (musician)Raymond Matthews Brown was an American jazz double bassist.-Biography:Ray Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had piano lessons from the age of eight. After noticing how many pianists attended his high school, he thought of taking up the trombone, but was unable to afford one...
Bass Face (1993) - Ray Brown Trio With Benny... Don't Get Sassy (1994)
- Ray Brown Some of My Best Friends Are... (1994)
- Ray Brown Seven Steps to Heaven (1995)
- Ray Brown Some of My Best Friends Are... (1995)
- Ray Brown Live at Scullers Jazz Club (1996)
- Ray Brown with John... Super Bass (1997)
- Ray Brown Triple Play (1998)
- Betty Carter Look What I Got (1988)
- Arnett Cobb with Heath... Tenor Tribute, Vol. 1 (1988)
- Arnett Cobb/Jimmy Heath... Tenor Tribute, Vol. 2 (1988)
- Dalida Annees Barclay (1997) Composer
- Mark Elf Minor Scramble (1996)
- Larry Gales Message from Monk (1990)
- George Gershwin S'Wonderful (1992)
- Tim Hagans & Marcus... Hub Songs: The Music of Freddie... (1997)
- Jay Hoggard Little Tiger (1990)
- Fred Horn Steady Freddy Collective Cuts (1995)
- Freddie Hubbard Topsy: Standard Book (1989)
- Freddie Hubbard Live at Fat Tuesday (1991)
- Freddie Hubbard God Bless the Child [Music Master] (1998)
- Milt Jackson Burnin' in the Woodhouse (1995)
- Ron Jackson Guitar Thing (1991)
- Jazz Futures Live in Concert (1991)
- Randy Johnston Walk On (1991)
- Etta Jones At Last (1993)
- Etta Jones My Gentleman Friend (1994)
- Vince Jones One Day Spent (1991)
- Kristin Korb Introducing Kristin Korb With the... (1996)
- Diana KrallDiana KrallDiana Jean Krall, OC, OBC is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer, known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 6 million albums in the US and over 15 million worldwide; altogether, she has sold more albums than any other female jazz artist during the 1990s and 2000s...
All for You (1995) - Michael Logan Night Out (1990)
- Brian Lynch In Process (1991)
- Mingus Dynasty Next Generation Performs Charles... (1991)
- Ralph MooreRalph Moore-Biography:Ralph Moore was born in London, England and grew up in a crowded inner city area. He evinced no particular musical interest until his mother bought him a trumpet when he was 13. Ralph studied with the late Alan Briggs, a local musician, in Brixton, and was soon sitting in with pub bands....
Round Trip (1985) - Ralph Moore Images (1988)
- Ralph Moore Furthermore (1990)
- Ralph Moore Who It is You Are (1993)
- Ralph Moore Complete Landmark Recordings (1999)
- Amani A.W. Murray Amani A.W. Murray (1990)
- Houston PersonHouston PersonHouston Person is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. Person is also known for his distinctive sassy sound and his expressive style of playing...
Lion and His Pride (1991) - Houston Person Christmas With Houston Person and... (1994)
- Houston Person Little Houston on the Side (1999)
- Houston Person Santa Baby
- Oscar Peterson Tribute (1997)
- Oscar & Benny: Oscar Peterson & Benny Green (1998)
- Flip Phillips Swing Is the Thing! (2000)
- John Pizzarelli Dear Mr. Cole (1994)
- Lisa Pollard I See Your Face Before Me (1993)
- Jimmy Ponder Soul Eyes (1991)
- Jimmy Ponder Steel City Soul (1998)
- Jim Snidero Quintet Mixed Bag (1987)
- Jim Snidero Blue Afternoon (1989)
- Jim Snidero Quartet While You Were Here (1991)
- Lew Tabackin Quartet I'll Be Seeing You (1992)
- Lew Tabackin Quartet What a Little Moonlight Can Do (1994)
- Steve TurreSteve TurreSteve Turre is a trombonist, recording artist, arranger, and educator. In 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2006 he won the Down Beat Reader's Poll for best trombonist....
Right There (1991) - Jack Walrath & The Masters Out of the Tradition (1990)
- Jack Walrath I Am the Walrath (2000)
- Bobby Watson Inventor (1989)
- Various Artists Yule Struttin' (1990)
- Various Artists Santa's Bag: An All-Star Jazz... (1992)
- Various Artists All-Star Jazz Christmas (1992)
- Various Artists Jazz Celebration: a Tribute to... (1992)
- Various Artists S'Wonderful: The Gershwin Songbook (1992)
- Various Artists Jazz Showcase (1994)
- Various Artists Blue Note Now! (1994)
- Various Artists Esquire Jazz Collection:... (1995)
- Various Artists Fujitsu-Concord 27th Jazz Festival (1995)
- Various Artists Complete Gershwin Songbooks (1995)
- Various Artists For the Love of Monk (1997)
- Various Artists It's Monk's Tune (1997)
- Various Artists Jazz After Hours (1998)
- Various Artists Surround Sounds, Vol. 2 (1998)
- Various Artists Blue Note Plays Gershwin (1999)
- Various Artists Essential Young Lions, Vol. 1 (1999)
- Various Artists Jazz for Those Peaceful Moments... (1999)
- Various Artists 32 More Gems from 32 Jazz (2000)
- Various Artists Romance in Rio (2000)
- Various Artists Jazz Piano Christmas (2000)
- Various Artists Richard Rodgers Centennial Jazz... (2001)
- Various Artists Signature Songs (2002)
- Various Artists Telarc Celebrating 25 Years: The... (2002)
- Various Artists I Heard It on NPR: Jazz for Blue... (2002)
- Various Artists I Heard It on NPR CD Box Set: Jazz (2003)
External links
- Official site
- BBC Radio 2
- AMS artists
- Benny Green's website
- The Benny Green Channel A Workshop on "The Genius Of Art Blakey" at the 2009 Jazz at CentrumCentrumCentrum means center in Latin.Centrum may refer to:* The central portion of a vertebra*Centrum , a Washington state performing arts organization* Centrum , metro station in Warsaw, Poland...
and performance videos